Why not have Anthony Davis play with Deron Williams (who may stay if they get the #1) and then have all the cap space they'd end up spending on Howard instead.

Well Howard is a proven 20/10 guy that obviously is one of the best defenders in the NBA. Deron would be more likely to stay with Howard than Davis. However, a front line of Howard and Davis With Deron in the backcourt would be pretty sweet. I would flip Lopez if I had Howard as the anchor TBH. A line of Deron/Brooks/Wallace/Davis/Howard would be frightening in the East - especially if you had Hump and AK coming of the bench